Overshoe fasteners



March 1969 G. G. EVERTS 3,43

OVERSHOE FASTENERS Filed Dec. 26, 1967 INVENTOR. 6 2 5 4. EVE? UnitedStates Patent 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved claspconstruction for overshoes which will not open accidentally even whenwalking in deep mud or water, yet it can be easily opened when desired,the clasp including a male and female member which interlock together.

This invention relates generally to clasp constructions for overshoes.

A principal object of the present invention is to pro vide an improvedovershoe fastener construction having self-contained means to preventbeing accidentally opened, and which have self-contained means to openeasily when so desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an overshoefastener construction which will permit a wearer to walk in deep mud orwater without the fear of the fasteners becoming disengaged and thuspossibly even loosing the shoe from the foot.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an overshoefastener which requires no precise or detailed maneuver to open, andwhich can be readily opened by a persons hand even when wearing a glove.

Still another object is to provide an improved overshoe fastenerconstruction which will in no way impair the normal use of theovershoes.

Other objects are to provide improved overshoe fasteners which aresimple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction,easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of thefollowing specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the male and female members of thepresent invention shown in separated relationship;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2'--2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing a slightly modifiedconstruction thereof and;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view thereof shown in fastened position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and more particularly to FIGURES1 and 2, thereof, the reference numeral 10 represents a pair of overshoefasteners, according to the present invention, wherein there is a malemember 11 and a female member 12 which are engageable together. Each ofthe members are securable to an overshoe (not shown) by means of a cord13 that is threaded through each of the members 11 and 12.

The male member 11 comprises a generally flat element made either fromrigid plastic or metal, as preferred, the member 11 having a bodyportion 14 that is fiat upon its uppper side 15 and 16 comprising thebottom side thereof, the under side having a plurality of downwardlyextending prongs 17 arranged in a longitudinally extending row. At oneend of the body 14, there is a tubular portion 18 having a centralopening 19 extending therethrough for purpose of receiving the cord 13,thus providing a means for securement to an overshoe. At the oppositeend of the body 14, there is a thumb 3,431,604 Patented Mar. 11, 1969lift 20 providing a convenient means for grasping the male member andlifting the same when desiring to disengage it from the female member.

The female member 12 comprises a channel configurated body having a flatintermediate wall 21 having a plurality of openings 22 therethrougharranged in a row and for the punpose of receiving the projection 17 ofthe male member, the intermediate wall 21 having upstanding side walls23 upon opposite longitudinal sides, the side walls 23 being arched soto form snap means to fold over the edges 24 of the male member 11 whenthe two are engaged, as is indicated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 2 ofthe drawing. The female member additionally includes a tubular portion25 at one end for purpose of receiving the cord 13.

In operative use, the male member is snapped downwardly between the sidewalls 23 of the female member with the prongs 17 becoming engaged withinthe openings 22 of the female member. The members are now firmly securedtogether and cannot be accidentally opened up. Should however a persondisengage the same, he need only to lift upwardly upon the finger lift20 thus forcing the edges 24 of the male member upwardly and flexingsidewardly out the converging side walls 23 of the female member, thusallowing the male member to pass thereby to effect a disengagement.

In a modified construction shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawing, themale member 31 and female member 32 are generally similar to the members11 and 12 except that both have an arcuate body along a longitudinaldirection as is shown at 33 and 34 respectively. The side edges 35 ofthe male member are additionally provided with sidewardly extendingprongs or teeth 36 which are receivable within grooves 37 of theopposite side walls 38 of the female member. Otherwise the members 31and 32 also include the prongs 39 receivable within openings 40 thetubular portions 41 and 42 having openings 43 and 44 respectively forreceiving cord 13, and the male member includes the thumb-lift 45 asabove described.

It will be noted additionally that the construction shown in FIGURE 3may likewise be made either of rigid plastic or sheet metal. While theconstruction shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 has been shown made in plastic,the construction shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 is accordingly shown made inmetal wherein the prongs 39 are accordingly struck out from the body 33-in a conventional manner known in the production of sheet metal goods.

I claim:

1. In an overshoe fastener assembly, the combination of a male memberand a female member, said members being selectively interconnectablewith one another, said members having self contained means to preventaccidental disengagement with each other, said members having selfcontained means whereby disengagement wilfully may be easilyaccomplished without precise manipulation, and which accordingly may beaccomplished even by a hand wearing a glove, said male member comprisingan element having a relatively flat body which is flat upon its upperand lower sides, said lower side of said body having a plurality ofdownwardly extending prongs, said prongs being arranged in a row, atubular portion at one end of said body having a transverse openingextending therethrough for purpose of receiving an overshoe cord, andthe opposite end of said body having a thumb lift.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said female membercomprises a generally arcuate configurated element having anintermediate wall with a plurality of openings therethrough arranged ina row for purpose of receiving said prongs of said male member, a pairof opposite, longitudinal side walls, said side Walls being arcuate forsnap engagement with said male member, and a transversely extendingtubular portion at one end of said body, said tubular portion having anopening extending therethrough for receiving said overshoe cord.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the oppositelongitudinal edges of said male member includes a plurality of spacedapart teeth, and said female member having said side walls thereofprovided with corresponding grooves for receiving said teeth.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 448,893 3/1891 Thompson.3,263,292 8/1966 Fekete.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.

